The pains and pleasures of air travel

I don’t know very many people who actually like airline food. But, I love it! I don’t know what it is about air travel that gets me so hungry. No matter how tired or sleepy I am, I make it a point to be awake when meal trolley rolls down the aisle. There is a big difference between business or coach class when it comes to practically everything — especially food.

I always ask for a "Bloody Mary" without alcohol (which is basically just tomato juice, but I like saying "Bloody Mary"okay!) and a ginger ale when I’m sky high. It’s funny, but I only consume those drinks when I’m on the plane. I eat all the peanuts and pretzels they hand out along with the "aperitifs," as I study the menu (if there is one) for the meals ahead. I may sound like a total pig, but I take my meals seriously; otherwise, what else is there to look forward to when I’m on board? The worse thing is when your seatmate orders food that is more appetizing than what I have.

The best airplane food I’ve tried was on Cathay Pacific. They serve dim sum with the works — chili and soy sauce, eaten with chopsticks, of course! I also like the Philippine Airlines breakfast since it caters to the Pinoy taste buds, serving tapsilog or daing na bangus on some flights. No offense, but I found the set meals at KLM and Lufthansa to be quite bland, but that’s just me. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the fact that I don’t enjoy Dutch or German food, even when I’m actually in Holland or Germany.

However, when I am in business class on any airline, there are more choices than just chicken or beef, and I can actually decide to skip the main course, after eating all the appetizers and then going straight to dessert, where there are more choices, even a delicious chocolate tray as a "night cap" — Yummy!

Who likes sleeping upright all night? I don’t really mind it so much, as long as I am left alone. I don’t want to sound like a snob, but one of my pet peeves is having to chat in an airplane, simply because I get so dizzy turning my head 90 degrees when I’m on a moving vehicle — airplanes included. And I don’t want to be rude by speaking to somebody without looking at him or her. Since I often travel alone, my seatmate is almost always a stranger. Although, my friends say that I am the "queen of small talk," when I’m on the plane, it’s a different story. I really prefer to be left alone to enjoy my meals, the magazines, a good book and the in-flight entertainment. Does this make me a bad person?

It really amazes me how some couples have actually gotten together after meeting and getting to know each other while on board. Two of my good friends, Jay and Carmen Ong’s love affair began when they met on a flight from Los Angeles to Manila where they chatted all the way home.

I always find airplanes too cold this is why I request for a blanket. I also carry at least a light sweater with me for the plane ride.

Most people I know prefer the aisle seat, I suppose because it is easier to get to the toilets from there. If there were a choice, I would go for the window seat, especially on economy class, so I could at least rest my head on the windowpane. In business class, even the middle seat is fine. It is a good idea to reserve your seating preference in advance, whenever possible. In economy class, the most comfortable seats are the ones by the emergency exit, since this allows most legroom.

The crew is very particular though when assigning these seats. For instance, one cannot be injured or have any heart problems, in case the exit needs to be accessed while on flight. I remember requesting an emergency exit seat from Paris to Sydney on my way to the Olympics. My request was denied since I had a broken collarbone at that time and they said if there was an emergency, I would be unable to assist the other passengers. So I asked to be "upgraded" to business class, instead. Well, that was denied, too! No harm in trying one’s luck, right?

My least favorite activity on airplanes (aside from chatting with my seatmate) is having to use the toilets. What a pain! To begin with, there is just not enough space in there. Secondly, that toilet flush scares the daylights out of me. I always feel as if I can get flushed out onto the black hole each time I press that little handle. But then again, you gotta do what you gotta do, so there’s no escaping that.

I just make sure that I go to the toilet just before boarding, so that I don’t have to go again when I’m one the plane, unless absolutely necessary. Of course when one flies "transatlantic" or anything longer than four hours, it would be very difficult to avoid a visit to the toilet while on board, at least once. The best advice I can give is to do everything you need to do in one go and wipe the basin and toilet bowl before leaving, as a courtesy to the next passenger.

Take-offs and landings are always the most exciting parts of an airplane ride. When I fly with my horses for a competition abroad, I make it a point to stay with them during these moments. (Yes, some airlines like KLM, Malaysian Air, and Lufthansa fly horses together with commercial passengers in what is called a "combi-flight." The other passengers never realize that there might be live animals at the back of the aircraft).

It is the most crucial time for horses in flight — when they can get nervous, frightened and freak-out, becoming possibly hazardous, if not disastrous. One would need a special pass in order to get into what we call a "horse pallet," securely situated behind the last row in the economy class, of course hidden behind a rugged door. Don’t worry, there’s no chance to witness four-legged beast marching down an airplane aisle at any time.

I have always believed that the journey is as important as the destination. An airplane ride can be as comfortable or uncomfortable as you make it, whether it’s first, business or coach class. This holiday season, when many are getting ready to take flights here, there and everywhere, just remember the following simple tips: Drink lots of water before and during the flight, since this helps in minimizing jet-lag and dehydration, bring a good book or magazine/s (since the in-flight magazine is usually a very short read), wear socks or carry a pair in your hand-carry, which you should wear while on board, and don’t miss any meals! Remember, you’ve paid for them already!